Mentor Teaching · Selected teaching responses

Unit Fractions: Equal Parts and the Same Whole

Response A: Check equal parts

Strip K has four parts of unequal sizes. A learner calls the shaded piece one fourth because there are four pieces. Explain what is missing from that reasoning. Draw a different whole with four equal parts and shade one.

Strip K: whole drawn length 240; consecutive part lengths 40, 40, 80, 80; part 1 shaded. Lengths describe the drawing in a common unit.
Strip K: whole drawn length 240; consecutive part lengths 40, 40, 80, 80; part 1 shaded. Lengths describe the drawing in a common unit.

Show or explain your reasoning. Use the space below or continue on separate paper.

Unit fractions · edition 1.0.1 · Selected teaching responses · 1 / 2

Mentor Teaching · Selected teaching responses

Unit Fractions: Equal Parts and the Same Whole

Response B: Keep the whole fixed

Strips L and M are equal-sized wholes. L shows one third and M shows one eighth. Someone chooses the eighth as larger because 8 is greater than 3. Use the strips to explain and revise the comparison.

Strip L: whole drawn length 240; consecutive part lengths 80, 80, 80; part 1 shaded. Strip M: whole drawn length 240; consecutive part lengths 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30; part 1 shaded. Lengths describe the drawing in a common unit.
Strip L: whole drawn length 240; consecutive part lengths 80, 80, 80; part 1 shaded. Strip M: whole drawn length 240; consecutive part lengths 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30; part 1 shaded. Lengths describe the drawing in a common unit.

Show or explain your reasoning. Use the space below or continue on separate paper.